by Diana Winchester 20th January 2021, 11:09 pm
-At the campsite, one hour and fifteen minutes later-
"Well, that does it. The campsite's been taken down and I'm ready to go, Miss Winchester." Mr. Wellington said to her. Diana turned around and saw that he was true to his word. His tent had been broken down, the campfire was out and all traces of it had been removed, and he had his rifle ready. He did not seem happy about being forced to give up his hunt for a polar bear, but perhaps he figured that getting a polar bear for his trophy wall was much less important than keeping his life.
"Let us go then." Diana said calmly. She then turned towards the woods and spoke to Ami.
"Ami, I have convinced Mr. Wellington to return to Capital Crocus. I will need you to follow us from above and watch for trouble until we get to Capital Crocus." Diana said to Ami.
"You've got it!" Ami said to Diana. Diana turned back to Mr. Wellington, who looked at her.
"You talked to someone just now. Are you tricking me?" Mr. Wellington asked with an angry look.
"No, Mr. Wellington. This is not a trick. Errings Rising is very real. I was talking to my eye in the sky, a friend of mine who made it possible for me to find you and to watch for danger." Diana informed him that he was not being tricked into leaving.
"If you would like, I could show you my friend." Diana offered. Mr. Wellington's response was short and sharp.
"Show me." He ordered. Diana nodded.
"Ami, could you please come down to us for a moment?" Diana asked Ami.
"Sure thing, Diana! Hold on!" She replied in the affirmative. About a minute later Ami circled around above their heads and eventually landed to Diana's left in front of an amazed Mr. Wellington.
"She's been here this whole time?" Mr. Wellington asked Diana before gawking at the winged android. Diana nodded. Ami gave the elderly hunter a thumbs-up.
"Yes, Mr. Wellington. Ami is my eye in the sky... and my friend. She is responsible for me finding you and for making sure that no Errings Rising mages were able to sneak up on us while you were breaking down your campsite." Diana replied. She made that remark to emphasize the point that it was a team effort to find him and to ensure his safety while he broke down the campsite. When he was told that Mr. Wellington was not angry anymore.
"Oh. Well then. I apologize for thinking that you were lying to me, Miss Winchester. We'll get moving right away." Mr. Wellington apologized for all but calling the blonde a liar, then vowed to get going while there was a window to do so. Diana was not upset by the
"It is no problem, Mr. Wellington. Let us go to Capital Crocus without further delay." Diana urged him. He nodded and together he and Diana set out for Capital Crocus. Ami took off and flew overhead to serve as both reconnaissance and as air support if the situation called for it. Diana hoped that Ami's help would not be needed.
-Capital Crocus, 1884 Prince Avenue, eight hours later-
It had been a long eight-hour hike from Silent Glaciers to Capital Crocus, but aside from the rigors of long-distance travel on foot there had been no danger to the hunter and huntress as they made their way home. Ami had reported nothing out of the ordinary during her flight. Diana liked boring and uneventful hikes home. Eight hours later the pair were standing outside of a two-floor mansion made in an old villa style with a brick path that led straight to the front door. Solar lights placed on both sides of the path lit the way.
"Well Miss Winchester, we made it safely thanks to you and your friend Ami." Mr. Wellington thanked Diana and Ami for their assistance.
"It is no problem, Mr. Wellington. I am glad that I could help." Diana said to him. While she regretted the low blows she had dealt him by mentioning his wife and how she would feel if Diana had to tell her that her husband was dead or missing, in the end throwing low blows was better than having to tell Agatha Wellington some very bad news. In this instance Diana could live with it.
"It's rather late. Would you like to spend the night at the Wellington estate, Miss Winchester?" Mr. Wellington asked Diana as they began to walk down the path. Diana looked at him and shook her head.
"No thank you, Mr. Wellington. I really need to get home, but I will walk you to the door." Diana politely declined the offer. The pair walked down the path and soon arrived at the front door, which was made of mahogany. Mr. Wellington knocked on the door and within seconds it was opened by an old woman wearing an old-fashioned blue dress and gray hair hanging down to her shoulders.
"Oh my... welcome back, Edgar!" The woman greeted her husband. Edgar wiped his feet off at the door and walked inside, setting the rifle aside in a corner and embracing his wife. Diana remained outside.
"I'm home, Agatha. I don't have a polar bear, but that can wait. I was told of a danger that made staying out there way too risky. A polar bear wasn't worth risking my life in a confrontation with a Dark Guild." He told his wife. Agatha looked at him, then looked to Diana for an explanation.
"I told him that there was a Dark Guild with a headquarters not too far from his location. The guild in question is not a loosely organized gang of bandits. They are a group of mages who are a serious threat even for someone as strong as I am." Diana told Agatha the truth. The old woman showed surprise for a moment. Diana was strong enough to give Wizard Saints a challenge and she could certainly fend off more than a enemy mages, but even she could not handle Errings Rising should they come after her in force.
"Well, I'm glad that you managed to convince my husband to come home, Miss Winchester. You did a good thing... and a brave thing. I'm sure that your parents are proud of you!" Agatha said to her. Diana kept a straight face but felt a little sad when the woman mentioned her parents. What did Diana have to be proud of?
"Here's the money I promised for bringing home my dear Edgar alive. Take it and take my gratitude!" Agatha told Diana before walking into the living room and picking something up, then walking over and handing Diana a heaping bag of Jewels. Diana accepted them and held them in her hands.
"Thank you." Diana thanked Agatha for the payment.
"Thank you, Miss Winchester. I'm just glad to have Edgar back." Agatha said to her. Edgar turned and faced her.
"Farewell, Miss Winchester! I hope that we'll meet again one day. Maybe we can even hunt together." Edgar said to her. Diana waved goodbye to the Wellingtons and turned around, walking away as the door was shut. She would just walk home for a change. Ami gently landed beside Diana and began walking with her owner. Diana probably did not need an escort, but she appreciated one.
Now to go home, sleep, and look for another job tomorrow morning.
[Post Word Count: 1,251]
[Total Word Count: 5,547/5,000]